Starry+Nights

Denise Myers Mary Beth Laychak Jennifer Ellis Justin Olaguer || ||
 * || =Starry Nights at Juvie=

Overview
An alien from a distant star system in the universe, you are searching for new supplies of natural resources required by your race. Your civilization has just discovered the Solar System and is fascinated with finding out what it has to offer. Just like traveling to any place unknown, you will need to research your potential destinations or you may find yourself in unpleasant, even deadly situations. You will prepare for your trip and then make the long and dangerous journey through the Solar System. You will attempt to collect samples and gather information about as many items on your list as you can before having to return home. The more you collect, the greater your reward.

Instructional Objective
By playing this game students will develop knowledge of the following: Astronomy Standards (CA)
 * Stars may differ in size, temperature, and color.
 * When to use astronomical units and light years as measures of distances between the Sun, stars, and Earth.
 * Appearance, composition, relative position, size and motion of objects in the solar system, including planets, moons, comets, and asteroids.

Learners
This game is specifically designed for a very targeted group of students, but the game should be effective for other students of similar demographics. The target group are juvenile offenders serving time in an honor camp located in a remote desert location. Their teachers have recently begun a stargazing program to help motivate students in the sciences and takes advantage of the dark skys of the location, and have focused on viewing the visible planets. Demographics of these students are as follows:
 * Gender: all students are males
 * Age: 16 - 19
 * Grade: 9 -12
 * Average Reading Level: 8th grade
 * Primary Languages: Mostly Spanish and English
 * Favorite Video Games: First person action games like Call to Duty and Madden NFL

Context of Use
//Age of Alien Exploration// is an eGame (Electronic Game), which is designed to be used in a Juvenile Detention Center where teenagers are incarcerated after being convicted for committing crimes. Within the Juvenile Detention Center there is a school system in place to encourage the teens to continue their education in accordance with California state laws. The goal of the //Age of Alien Exploration// game is to teach basic astronomy and better appreciation for the night sky. The students are under constant supervision, are given a limited amount of time outside, and are typically not allowed outside in the Detention yard at night. Since the learning environment is not a typical school setting certain accommodations will have to be made. The Juvenile Detention Center is allocated limited resources and has specific rules to what is allowed in this particular situation. For example, the computer lab that is available to the students does not have any Internet connection and has a limited number of computers for use. Because of the special nature of the students only a limited number of them can participate in the eGame at any one time due to safety issues.

//Age of Alien Exploration// would be designed as a stand-alone CD-ROM game that students would be able to play and experience it on the current computers they have available in the lab. The computers available in the lab are PCs with Windows XP and Microsoft Office installed. Students are given the opportunity to participate in this game if they wish and would be facilitated by the teacher on-site within the detention center. The eGame is played in an informal setting where the students would be engaged in learning about the stars, planets, celestial bodies and constellations. The game is individually played on one computer within the computer lab. The game can be replayed multiple times as the player tries to increase his score, or takes on the role of different Alien with a different list of resources to find.

Scope
This adventure game will take around 30 minutes for players to complete. There will be 18 objects in the game; the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Pluto, Ceres, the 4 Galilean Satellites of Jupiter, Titan, Triton and a comet. Prior to departing from Earth, the player will read a dossier that describes the atmosphere, temperature, water, gravity and special requirements of the selected alien. Each alien species will also have a list of resources necessary for their planet's requirements. Resources will include the following: heavy carbon dioxide atmosphere, sulfur, methane, water, hydrogen, etc...

The game will focus on bodies in the Solar System; the sun, 8 planets, 2 dwarf planets, comets and asteroids. Players will read notes for each of the potential destinations. These notes will give information abut each body like composition, size, distance from the sun and surface features. The majority of these objects are observable by the naked eye or with a small telescope, a facet that will be exploited in the game.

General information regarding stars, nebulae, and other astronomical objects will also be mentioned. In order to determine which planet in our Solar System has the necessary resources, the player will need to know basic information about the alien's home planet and star system. This allows us to expose the learners to basic information about stars, different sizes, temperatures, etc... without making it a primary focus of the game.

Additionally, the player will travel as the alien through space on their way to the Solar System. They will face challenges along the way while passing through star clusters, nebulae and the interstellar medium. Players will also learn about vastness of space and the extreme distances between stars. We will give the aliens extremely long lifetimes in order to stay true to the distances in space.

As mentioned above, the game will also be tied into night time observations of the sky. Included in this section will be the motion of the night sky, why objects are only observable at certain times of year, determining the difference between stars and planets in the sky, and what are constellations. Players will be given the coordinates of their aliens home star, along with the constellation it is in, and a brief mythology of that constellation. For example, one player may be told that their alien lives on a planet that orbits Rigel. Rigel can be found in the constellation Orion, the hunter.

Object of the Game
The object of the game is to discover and collect samples and information on as many items as you can before your time and resources are depleted and you have to return to your home planet.

Competing Products
[|The Space Place] is one of NASA's home sites for egames. The games cover a wide range of content, from Earth's weather to black holes. The games have different levels, easy to hard. Many are trivia based, some are similar to concentration. Only one game however, focuses on the Solar System, Solar System Switch-a-Roo. Not sure of the object, the game wouldn't load. Can't be done offline.

Astronomy Games for Kids is another site with many astronomy games. The majority of these games are based on other games; Memory, Hangman, crossword puzzles, etc... Nothing comparable to our game. Difficult to do offline.

[|Solar System Collecting Cards] is a Hubble Telescope game that asks the player to collect cards for different objects in the Solar System. The player collects the cards by answering basic questions about the object correctly. They're then taken to a page that gives not only the correct answer, but more facts about the object. An offline version exists as well, where the instructor can print the cards out.

Astronomy Quiz game asks players to answer questions about different subjects in astronomy. Players can select from easy, medium and hard. Can't be done offline.

[|Way Out] is another game from the people at Hubble. It's a quiz game where players can win Hubble pictures as prizes. Can't be done offline.

[|Chandra Space Telescope] has games on their website as well, but they're primarily memory, crossword, quizzes, or puzzles. There is a section of the site devoted to printable games with answer keys.

Educational Resources has 48 astronomy or astronomy related games. There are several focused around the solar system, but the descriptions of the game are vague.

A search of current astronomy games yields a high number of quiz based, memory, crosswords and matching games. Few games are based on having the students study the planets in the solar system. The majority can only be done online, which poses an issue for our learners.

None of the existing games allow the players to view the solar system from a context outside of Earth. Because our game allows players to select an alien to play as, they will be forced to view the planets outside the traditional context. Additionally, our game will be on a CD, so it can still be played on a computer, but not need an internet connection. Only the games from Educational Resources are similar in that regard.

Design Details
This is an adventure game that uses photorealistic images from NASA and Hubble as well ad 3-d animations during game play. The game play and CGI (Computer Generated Images) will be similar to the popular computer game series: Starcraft released by Blizzard Entertainment in 1998. The characters will be animated with 3D computer effects giving the game a more mature feel while still retaining some cartoon like attributes. Since sound cannot exist in space because of the lack of air simulated sounds will be added for a more entertaining experience. There will be simulated sounds effects for spacecraft, scoring points, obstacles like asteroids and even alien speech.



The world will be confined to the Milky Way galaxy and will include the home star systems of player character aliens and the solar system. Compared to the the solar system, the home star systems will include limited detail. The majority of play-time will be spent in the solar system. The learner will play in the role of an alien trying to find samples and information on all the natural resources required by their species. The learner will be able to select from a variety of aliens, all with different requirements for natural resources, allowing for multiple games with varying results. They have to pack supplies, ie food, space suits and fuel, keeping in mind the length of the trip (many years). The players will not be able to travel faster then the speed of light, but we will have a clock that shows them how far they've traveled and how long they've been gone. Once they reach the solar system, we will introduce the idea of the astronomical unit, switching from light years to AU.
 * //Overall Map​ of World//**
 * //Role of the Learner//**

The goal of the game is to find samples and information on natural resources available on various solar system objects. The more items found in before having to return home, the higher the score.
 * //Overall Game Goal//**


 * //Flowchart//**

Players will face hazards while traveling from their home planet to their destinations. They will travel through nebulae, some of which will be full of gas and dust, affecting visibility for their spacecraft. They may pass by stars with strong stellar winds that either damage their ships or push them off course, depending on the alien ship. If the player runs out of supplies because they did not pack accordingly, they will need to find an interstellar fuel station or grocery store. Player may also have to face unfriendly aliens who try to steal fuel or otherwise reek havoc on the traveler.
 * //Obstacles and Challenges//**

When the player selects a species, they will be given a list of resources to find in the Solar System. The player will gain points for each resource they locate and sample they collect to take back to their home world. If they collect samples from multiple sources, they will receive bonus points. Players who find all the resources on their list will also receive bonus points. These points can be used to purchase upgrades to their spacecraft upon returning to their home world.
 * //Prizes and Rewards//**

The player can choose from a variety of species of Alien characters to explore the Solar System. Each Alien species has a unique list of natural resources that they need to acquire for their civilization on their home planets. The Solar System presents a unique opportunity for these Aliens to explore the available resources because they are badly needed back in their civilizations due to their overuse of precious resources.
 * //Player Characters//**

ELLISIANS Home: Betelgeuse Star System Needs: Silicate, Nickel, Carbon, Water(ice), Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Methane

From the supergiant star system of Betelgeuse, the ancient crab-like Ellisians have evolved and adapted their civilization to cope with this crisis of their dying star. They have created a unique space suit that allows them to inhabit some of the coldest environments. Their civilization is very resourceful in maximizing their limited resources such as harvesting ice and storing it because water is limited on their desolate planet.

LYCHAKS Home: Sirius Star System Needs: Methane, Iron, Nickel, Silicates, Iron Sulfide, Hydrogen, Sulfur Dioxide

The Sirius Star system supports a vast civilization of warrior like Aliens who are in search of new materials to build their expanding empire. Originally from Sirius Star B, the Lychaks have now conquered most of Sirius Star A system as well. Their goal is to dominate their opponents within the Sirius Star System by building a vast network of military bases and controlling the trade market.

MYERTRONS Home: Alpha Centauri A Star System Needs: Diamonds, Helium, Argon, Gold, Ethane, Carbon Monoxide

The Myertrons are an advanced Alien race that are in search for precious resources to fund their continual research of the universe. Considered to be quite wise and creative, the Myertrons are an intricate race of beings who use knowledge as a way of evolving themselves into perfection.

OLGUERIANS Home: Polaris Star A system Needs: Iron, Helium, Hydrogen, Carbon Dioxide, Water

The Polaris A star system is also commonly known as the North Star and is home to the Olguerians, a crustacean like species. The Olguerians are race of savage Aliens who have used all of their resources carelessly while simultaneously polluting their home planet. Since the Olguerians laid waste to their home planet they seek to harvest resources and to conduct reconnaissance for a new home planet.

A group of outcast Aliens banned from their respective Star Systems have formed a group of rogue space pirates who raid unsuspecting spacecraft by surprise. Collectively known as the Briganite pirates, they have become successful conducting piracy wherever passing spacecraft may fly. They commonly favor to steal fuel and precious goods from spacecraft.
 * //Non-Player Characters//**
 * Pirates

Located sporadically throughout space, an Alien race known as the Zolots have setup space stations for specifically for trade and to refuel passing spaceships. Supplies such as Fuel and food are readily available for purchase or trade. It is critical for players to plan ahead if they expect to be successful during their exploration mission.
 * Intergalactic Space Fuel Station and Convenience Store

The Zolots are a mysterious race of Aliens who believe in the exploration and diplomacy between different stellar civilizations. They are the most traveled Aliens within the Milky Way Galaxy and are known for their compassion for other living beings as well as their skill of trading. Not much is known about the Zolots although they favor interaction with other intelligent life, they're also a race that is still shrouded in secrecy and mystery.
 * Friendly Space Aliens

The scoring system will be two fold. First, the player will have both fuel and supply meters. The fuel meter will show the player how much fuel is remaining. If players run low on fuel before reaching the Solar System, they will have to find an interstellar fuel station. All of the spacecraft will have fusion engines, so they will be able to convert hydrogen into helium to power the spacecraft. The fuel stations will sell the players hydrogen. The player will also have to watch their supplies. They will need to pack the appropriate supplies, including food and space suits. If they are unable to disembark their space ships to collect samples because they did not have the proper suits, they will lose points. Secondly, players will collect points for the samples they collect.
 * //Scoring//**


 * //Sample Screens//**

Planetary Reconnaissance Mode

All of the Aliens will have the same type of view from the Bridge of their spacecraft. The player has a view from the spacecraft with a dashboard of different informational gauges such as fuel levels, planetary resources detected, pirate radar, odometer, food supply level, and even GPS (Galactic Positioning System) that gives you your exact location.

Dashboard Control Panel

Located on the left of the Dashboard is the Control Panel which controls actions during game play. There are 4 buttons, a reading of Resources Collected, and direct video communication to base of your home planet. The 4 action buttons have multiple uses during gameplay, for example if the player would like to conduct reconnaissance of a particular planet like Mars, the player would click on Mars and click the play button to continue. The 4 actions buttons are:

1.) Go/ Next Action/ Continue/ Play 2.) Stop/ Pause 3.) Take Current Readings (GPS location, distance traveled, or availability and location of resources) 4.) Collect Resources from selected Planet or dock with Fuel Station to resupply

Resource Collection Mode Above is a screen shot during Resource Collection Mode where a small probe space craft has been dispatched to take samples of diamonds from Earth. After the resources were located the player clicks on the diamonds and clicks Collect Resource button to extract the resources.

The [|Unity]game development tool will be used to author the game. In alignment with the requirements for the student population, the game will be published for standalone operation on Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7. Because the game will not be deployed on the web, high quality native file formats for assets will be used according to best practices for Unity. Therefore, audio files will be in the aif format, and images for textures will be in the psd format. 3D graphics and animations are created within the Unity program. The format used for saved player data is xml.
 * //Technical Elements//**

Motivational Issues
This game will engage the learner by making them part of the game. As Jesse Schell states at the beginning of his book creating a game is about creating an experience for the player (Schell 2008). This game is designed for a very speicific target audience. This game is for teenage boys who are living in a very restrictive environment. Most of these students have probably struggled in school. This game teaches content while at the same time allowing the player to achieve a sense of accomplishment. According to Schell some of the characteristics of teenage boys are that they are "interested in competition and mastery" as well as "experimenting with new kinds of experiences" (Schell 2008). Due to site limitations the students must play individually but mastery is the goal as they experience traveling through the solar system.

Through this game we are trying to bulid the learner's confidence in their academics skills by showing them that there are many ways to learn the material. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs gives us a unique perspective to what these learners actually need. Many of these learners are trying to fulfil the bottom levels of motivation especially feeling safe, and belonging. (Schell 2008) In this game we are working on building self esteem through accomplishment.

The two main foundations of this game are **fantasy and control**. The content will be embedded in the game covertly and overtly. The game creates a world where the players are active explorers. The player begins by choosing their own alien character which has it's own biography and home star. The characters are fantasy but the locations are very real. By allowing the player to choose their own character they can have a new experience each time. The game begins with choices made by the player such as their character, their itinerary and their supplies. Once the player had made these choices his adventure begins. Allowing the player a fair amount of control sets them up to create their own adventure. Once the player begins his travel, unique challenges and opportunities will pop up along the way.

The hope is to engage the learner in the beginning by creating a fantasy adventure within concrete locations and travel. As they play the game they will gain points and prizes as they confront different obstacles and complete their itinerary. Since there is no internet access the play has to be self contained which limits the ability to compete with other players. The idea is to create such a unique adventure that the learners will enjoy their own experience.

Design Process
In creating this game with began with a specific need. The game needed to support the star gazing nights out at juvenile detention camp, but it had to be self contained as there is no internet access. Initially we focused on stars and creating a game that incorporated star charts and movement of the constellations. However, we quickly moved away from this idea once we looked at the state learning standards and spoke with the teacher at the school. We decided then to create a game where there is detailed information about the planets of the solar system, which are of special interest to students in telescope viewing activities.

The game began with a large scope of objects they we would include in the game and background concepts. As the game developed some content changed because it would not add to the flow of the game. We eliminated trying to teach about the whole galaxy and the idea of galaxies. We still incorporated stars by assigning each of aliens a home star. We chose different types of stars so that the learner can be exposed to the variety of stars in the galaxy. We also realized that we could easily incorporate the idea of light years and astronomical units as the player traveled through space.

After developing a clear picture of the scientific ideas we wanted the player to learn we delved into how to make that engaging. Initially we thought we would create an adventure game that would also involve quiz questions as the player traveled about their adventure. When we began discussing the world in which the learner will play it became clear that separate questioning was not necessary to make sure they are learning the objectives. Another drawback to the direct questioning is that if you have little prior knowledge it will make the game difficult as you go through the game. Instead the concepts will be embedded in the challenges. For example the learner must land their ship in areas where their alien can survive or he has to bring the necessary supplies for survival. There are negative consequences for not knowing the information included in the biography.

In addition to negative consequences there are positive consequences for choosing the right location and completing the challenges. We envision the player playing multiple times and becoming more of an expert each time. We also decided to create an advanced level where the learner will have the opportunity to discover "new" locations that are not part of the original itinerary options and create their own brochure.

After receiving some feedback the objective of the game changed slightly. Instead of finding planets to survive on the alien is doing a reconnaissance mission for his home star and is searching for valuables within the Earth's solar system. The shift in focus may actually fit our learner much better. It was also suggested that the advanced level of creating a brochure would have to be an completely separate assignment so as to not take away from the flow of the game. A more appropriate followup assignment to this new version of the game would be a report as to which locations have the best natural resources for the aliens to exploit. This assignment would be completely separate from the game and not designed by us but it is keeping with the idea of how to support this specific target population.